Miscellaneous Receipts. These consist mainly of such receipts as could not be properly included in any division of the work; embracing also a few additional general receipts, whose merits demanded their insertion, obtained too late for classification under their proper headings.

6168. To Prepare Skeleton Leaves

6168.    To Prepare Skeleton Leaves. The object in view is to destroy what may be called the fleshy part of the leaf, as well as the skin, leaving only the ribs or veins. The most successful, and probably the simplest way to do this, is to soak the leaves in rainwater till they are decomposed. For this purpose, when the leaves are collected, they should be placed in an earthenware pan or a wooden tub, kept covered with rain-water, and allowed to stand in the sun. In about 2 weeks time they should be examined, and if found pulpy and decaying, will be ready for skeletonizing, for which process some cards, a camel's-hair brush, as well as one rather stiff (a tooth-brush, for instance), will be required. When all is prepared, gently float a leaf onto a card, and with the soft brush carefully remove the skin. Have ready a basin of clean water, and when the skin of one side is completely removed, reverse the card in the water, and slip it under the leaf, so that the other side is uppermost. Brush this to remove the skin, when the fleshy part will most likely come with it; but if not, it will readily wash out in the water. If particles of the green-colored matter still adhere to the skeleton, endeavor to remove them with the soft brush; but if that is of no avail, the hard one must bo used. Great care will be necessary to avoid breaking the skeleton, and the hard brush should only be used in a perpendicular direction (a sort of gentle tapping), as any horizontal motion or brushing action will infallibly break the skeleton. Never attempt to touch the leaves or the skeleton in this state with the fingers, as when they are soft their own weight will often break them. Well-grown leaves should always be chosen, and be thoroughly examined for flaws before soaking. Leaves containing much tannin cannot be skeletonized by this process, but are generally placed in a box with a number of caddis worms, which eat away the fleshy parts, when the skeletons can be bleached by the method given in the next receipt. Holly leaves must be placed in a separate vessel, on account of their spines, which would be apt to damage other leaves; they make beautiful skeletons, and are sufficient!y strong to be moved with the fingers. {See No. 6170 (Quick Method of Preparing-Skeleton Leaves).)

6169. To Bleach Skeleton Leaves

6169.      To Bleach Skeleton Leaves. A good way of bleaching skeleton leaves is to prepare a solution of chloride of lime, which must be allowed to settle, and the clear liquid poured into a basin, in which the skeletons may be put by floating them off the card. It is as well to have half a dozen ready to bleach at once, as they require watching, and if allowed to remain in the liquid too long will fall to pieces. From 2 to 4 hours will generally suffice to bleach the skeleton of all ordinary leaves, after which they should be washed in several changes of water, and finally left in clean water for 1/2 hour. After the leaf has been sufficiently washed it should be floated onto a card and dried as quickly as possible, care being taken to arrange the skeleton perfectly flat, and as near as possible to the natural shape. This can be done with the assistance of the soft brush. When dry the skeleton should be perfectly white, and may be mounted on dark backgrounds, as black velvet or paper. (See No. 6171 (To Bleach Skeleton Leaves).)